Debating Communities and Networks XIV

Tweeting for Justice: A Study of CEDAW Legislation, Twitter, and Fourth-Wave Feminism in the Struggle for Women’s Rights and Enacting Change

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M.Rioux

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine how Twitter and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) might help advance the cause of women’s rights and gender equality on a worldwide scale. It examines how Twitter has allowed fourth-wave feminists around the globe to communicate, raise awareness, engage in debates on women’s human rights issues, and effect change through hashtag activism. Despite the fact that Twitter and CEDAW have considerably advanced women’s rights and gender equality throughout the world, issues like the digital divide, hate speech, and harassment still persist and should be worked on. It is important to continue addressing these challenges and finding solutions to create a safer and more inclusive online environment for women. Through collective efforts, we can leverage the power of social media to drive positive change and empower women globally. 

Keywords: Social networks, social change, Twitter, Fourth wave feminism, participatory culture, Women’s rights, CEDAW, Digital misogyny

PDF: Rioux_OnlineNetworksAndSocialChange

Introduction

Twitter has helped move Fourth Wave Feminism and the cause of women’s rights forward in a big way. Feminists worldwide can now meet and talk about important issues related to women’s human rights, like gender equality, the right to equal opportunities and decision-making, and putting an end to violence against women and sexual harassment. Even though men and women are entitled to the same rights, girls, and women around the world face discrimination due to their sex, gender, race, ethnicity, and age. This is why international women’s human rights legislation is important to remind everyone that we are entitled to the same rights and privileges as men and that harmful stereotypes should be knocked down so that women can finally be seen as equals with their desires and needs (Charlesworth, 1994). The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is an international human rights treaty that promotes and protects women’s rights to make sure that women have the same rights and opportunities in all areas of life (UN Women, 2016). It was established by the United Nations in 1979, and lays the groundwork for achieving gender parity by guaranteeing women’s full participation in all aspects of public life, including elections, and equal access to and opportunity in all fields of learning, health care, and the workforce (United Nations Women, 2009). In recent years, Twitter has become an important way to raise awareness about women’s rights issues, bring about change (Cullen, 2013), and contribute to CEDAW ‘s mission of promoting gender equality and empowering women worldwide. Twitter’s utility stems from its capacity to promote real-time communication, link individuals and organizations from across the globe, and provide a forum for elevating various views and opinions. Twitter and CEDAW have had a tremendous influence on the advancement of women’s rights and gender equality globally. This paper will examine how CEDAW and Twitter have been used to promote women’s rights and assess their influence on the worldwide fight for gender equality. 

 

Background information on feminism and movements on Twitter

This fight for equal rights and an end to discrimination started a long time ago with the waves of feminism. While the first wave feminism started around the 1820s and fought for political equality for women and hence the right to vote, the second wave in 1968 broadened the issues to include sex, reproductive and abortion rights, domestic labor, and equal opportunities and pay within the workplace (Mohajan, 2022). Then, the third wave emerged in the 1990s, which involved trying to raise the number of women in positions of power and combating sexual harassment at work (Mohajan, 2022), which has given place to the fourth wave, or today’s feminism. The fourth wave is a continuation of the third wave, with greater emphasis on women’s empowerment using the advent of technology as well as intersectionality (Zimmerman, 2021). It can also be called digital feminism,” where feminist activism and discussion happen within the digital sphere (Jouët, 2018). The modern feminist movement first appeared in 2008 and is characterized by its emphasis on technology and social media for connecting and reaching people across cultural and national boundaries (Looft, 2017). Its interconnectedness and inclusivity, with a focus on topics like gender-based violence, reproductive rights, empowerment, LGBTQ+ rights, and economic inequality, characterize this era of feminism. It is closely related to intersectionality, and as Twitter is a provocative, activist tool that is open to intersectionality, it remains the best platform for their movement leaders. 

 The social media boom of platforms like Facebook in 2004, Twitter in 2006, and Instagram in 2010 (Lile, 2022) has given the feminist movement a potent new tool known as hashtag activism, or “hashtivism”. Feminists can bring attention to pressing issues and mobilize support for enacting social change through the use of hashtag activism, which capitalizes on the affordances of social networks to do so (Zimmerman, 2021). The demand for gender equality and exposing cases of sexual assault and harassment have been highlighted by hashtags like #heforshe, #EverydaySexism, and #metoo on the cybersphere in recent years. 

 UN Women started the #heforshe campaign to persuade men to support women’s rights and equal rights for men and women (UN Women, 2015). On social media, the hashtag became very popular as people and organizations expressed their support for the cause (Henry-White, 2015). For example, today’s conversation about the hashtag is, according to She Forum Africa (@SheForunAfrica), “As #WomensMonth ends, we celebrate every woman & our #HeForShe whose daily efforts advance the Health & Rights of Women & Girls in Nigeria” (SheForumAfrica, 2023). It demonstrates that the movement is adopted globally and applied to local matters. On the other side, #EverydaySexism tries to draw attention to the regular sexism that women experience and to increase consciousness of unintentional prejudice (Bocher, 2020). The hashtag invites users to share their stories and denounce sexism when they encounter it. The #MeToo movement also wanted to bring attention to how common sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape are. Tarana Burke established it in 2006, and Alyssa Milano used it in 2017 on Twitter (Drewett, 2021). Throughout 2017, both men and women shared accounts of sexual assault and harassment using the hashtag #metoo demanding a stop. The #metoo movement has significantly altered how society views sexual assault and harassment, and through this digital connection, the Me Too campaign has also demonstrated the public’s willingness to oppose and criticize systems of oppression, including patriarchy, misogyny, and sexism (Shilwant, 2019). These movements lead to the formation of new communities or just add a new element to the growth of an existing one. As Rheingold (1993, cited in Delantry, G., 2018) stated, he” viewed the Internet as an alternative reality to existing realities and as having the capacity to transform society” and hence promote social change. 

 

CEDAW, Twitter, and its Impact 

Social media platforms and social networking sites have changed the way activists work by giving leaders a place to speak and by providing facts and data to bring attention to important issues and get people all over the world involved in making social change. Twitter is a well-known social networking site where users can publish brief messages, or tweets, of up to 280 characters. Twitter is by far the most activist-friendly platform due to multiple affordances, such as its structure in terms of tweets, which are short and effective, and easily retweeted by the masses (Buente, 2017). The use of social network technology to plan and coordinate actions in the real world is an example of social media activism (Brown et al., 2017). Furthermore, as part of the attention economy, movement activists have the option of avoiding conventional media sources and using this economy to disseminate their own message and have control over their portrayal (Buente, 2017). It is increasing the accessibility and inclusivity of feminist activism by utilizing the power of technology and the internet, amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups, and advancing gender equality on a worldwide scale. 

 The CEDAW convention has 189 parties that have adopted the legislation. It promotes and protects important rights to give women more power, make sure men and women have the same rights, and stop discrimination. CEDAW also says that violence based on gender, like sexual harassment and sexism, needs to be stopped (Gunawan et al., 2020). For instance, several U.S. states now require companies to provide sexual harassment training (Roehling, 2011), which is quite an improvement. Violence against women and girls can take many different forms, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, and it affects them all over the world. CEDAW pledges to put an end to gender-based violence and provide women the freedom to live their lives without fear of being harmed. Even if the treaty has now existed for 44 years, conversation on Twitter around the legislation using the hashtag is still prevalent. For example, there are a lot of tweets about the complete restitution of their lost pension due to the increased retirement age and around Transgender Day. For instance, according to INRAW Asia Pacific (@INRAW_AP), “Feminism envisions liberation for all, not just for some. On #TransDayOfVisibility, we reaffirm that trans rights are women’s rights, and appreciate the commitment of the #CEDAW Committee to upholding this principle.” (INRAW_AP, 2023). It emphasizes that feminism is for all women and that CEDAW maintains the idea that transgender rights are also women’s rights. For instance, CEDAW’s General Recommendation No. 28 on the Basic Responsibilities of States Parties under Article 2 of the Convention underlines the necessity for a comprehensive and integrative approach to resolving intersectional discrimination against women (United Nations, 2010). 

 Furthermore, the following demonstrates the impact of CEDAW and Twitter’s role in keeping audiences informed. iKNOW Politics (@iKNOW_Politics), “Taking place on #IWD, this #CSW67 @IPUparliament side-event focused on the new recommendation of #CEDAW, which helps build #accountability & accelerate #progress, and presented new data on #womeninpolitics. (Iknow Politics, 2023). Progress is being made and fostered by the power of the digital age. It is a step forward for women’s equality, and experts, campaigners for gender equality, and legislators talked about the current state of women’s worldwide representation, lessons learned, and how to achieve and maintain gender equality in politics and other sectors.

 

Examining what prevents the International Women’s Human Rights Legislation from being respected and promoted 

 The internet, and especially the public sphere and participatory culture, give everyone a free platform to share content and their points of view. That means that it gave a free space for digital feminism to take place and allowed institutional misogyny to shift online, increasing the need for the fight for women’s rights. First of all, digital misogyny is a form of gendered abuse that uses false or hurtful gender and sex-based stories about women to try to keep them out of the public sphere (Jane, 2016). This can take many forms, such as stalking, hate speech, revenge porn, cyberbullying, and internet harassment (Ging & Siapera, 2018). These are serious violations of basic human rights, like privacy and equality rights, and they add to the problems of digital violence, women’s objectification, and sexual harassment. Nevertheless, despite the difficulties brought on by digital misogyny, the internet, and online activism have given women chances to connect, mobilize, and effect change, encouraging participatory culture. As a matter of fact, several women-led initiatives and campaigns, like #MeToo, have gained traction and generated crucial discussions about gender inequity and sexual harassment, opening up new avenues for empowerment and self-determination.

 Social media sites don’t have enough rules, and the government is not doing enough to protect people. Legislative reform is a start to address online misogyny and hate, but it is not the only option (Jurasz, 2021). The other option, and the most powerful one, relies upon the education our young boys receive and how the new generation is our only hope for behavioral and attitude change against women. Secondly, discriminatory practices built around sex, gender, and social class, among others, hinder the fight for equality, making it harder for women to get justice and enjoy their rights (Sultana & Zulkefli, 2013). 

 In the same way, Huyer and Sikoska (2003) say that the gender digital divide between men and women affects their equal participation online. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR, 2017 cited in Acilar & Sæbø, 2021), unequal access to internet communication constitutes a human rights violation. When women don’t have the same access to the internet as men, it breaks important rights, but most of all, it slows down feminist activism and fighting. Consequently, this divide is impacting social inclusion and gender equality, and efforts should be made to address this issue through policies and initiatives that promote digital literacy and access for women across the globe, regardless of their geographic area or socio-cultural norms. Overall, digital activism is needed to fight for women’s rights and take their power back into their own hands. However, it is important to note that not all women have the same experiences, and intersectionality plays a crucial role in understanding the complexities of misogyny and discrimination online (Cho, Crenshaw, & McCall, 2013). For example, women of color may face different forms of harassment and discrimination compared to their white counterparts. Therefore, any solution to address online misogyny must consider the diverse experiences and perspectives of all women.

 Finally, even though social media has been effective in generating awareness and influencing public opinion, it is frequently blamed for encouraging “slacktivism” which is the notion that individuals are only “liking” or “retweeting” feminist articles without actually doing anything to support women’s rights (Madison & Klang, 2020). Ultimately, Twitter may be a very effective tool for activism, but it’s crucial to be aware of its limitations and make sure that online activism is supported by actual policy change and real-world action. Other social media platforms and networks besides Twitter could be considered to reach and engage with different audiences to maximize social change opportunities.

 

Conclusion

 To conclude, Twitter has become an important medium for Fourth Wave Feminism and the worldwide struggle for women’s rights. It has allowed feminists throughout the world to communicate, debate crucial women’s human rights concerns, and effect change through hashtag activism. The article also examined the relevance of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), an international human rights convention, and how it promotes and defends women’s rights to guarantee that they have equal rights and opportunities in all aspects of life. Twitter and CEDAW have had a significant impact on the global progress of women’s rights and gender equality. Despite various accomplishments, the need to recognize the digital gap, resolve issues with hate speech and harassment, and develop long-lasting, meaningful connections and engagement with underrepresented populations remains unchanged. This research has shown that social media platforms such as Twitter have become indispensable to feminist action, allowing women to have their voices heard, contributing to the global battle for gender equality, and provoking change.

 

 

References

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23 responses to “Tweeting for Justice: A Study of CEDAW Legislation, Twitter, and Fourth-Wave Feminism in the Struggle for Women’s Rights and Enacting Change”

  1. Dane Goulter Avatar
    Dane Goulter

    Hi,
    Thanks for posting your paper. It was interesting. The inclusion of digital feminism was good to see. I think it links in a lot with women being in STEM fields also as the tech industry, digital technology and STEM are very much linked together.

    I wonder also how we can strike a balance with regulating online platforms while also keeping a “free internet” as Tim Berners Lee originally wanted. Since regulation would require government and corporate regulating, there could be some risk in them over stepping. I would hope to see the elimination of discrimination and such, while also maintaining a good level of free expression and exchange of information between people.

    Thanks,
    Dane

    1. M.Rioux Avatar
      M.Rioux

      Hello, thanks Dane for reading my paper and for coming up with an interesting analysis.
      Indeed, striking the right balance between online platform regulations and keeping a free and open internet is complex but achievable.

      Firstly, One strategy is to concentrate on policing particular features of online platforms, such data privacy, content moderation, and advertising policies, while making sure that the core ideas of a free and open internet are not jeopardized. For example, a way to eliminate online sexism is to regulate harmful comments, like uploading a list of words that are harmful and detrimental to both genders to ensure a sexism-free online environment.

      Secondly, it is feasible to create laws that are efficient, proportional, and consistent with the principles of a free and open internet by creating open discussion and collaboration for regulators and other stakeholders to create guidelines and standards for online conduct and to ensure that they are respected.

      And thirdly, decentralized technology can aid in the transfer of power from centralized platforms to people and communities, hence fostering a more open and free internet. The fact that the rules and governance procedures are included into the technology itself means that they may also offer more accountability and transparency.

      Hope this helps,
      Emma.

      1. Dane Goulter Avatar
        Dane Goulter

        I do agree especially with decentralisation of technology. I think this one method alone would benefit both in terms of a free and open internet aswell as maintaining freedom of expression. It is a difficult problem overall to balance but as you said above, there are measures we can take to at least minimise harm to others.

        Thanks,
        Dane

  2. Pauline Pacifique Avatar
    Pauline Pacifique

    Hi Emma,
    thank you for publishing this piece on the CEDAW legislation as it is very informative and engaging!

    As you mentioned throughout your paper, social media platforms such as Twitter have become an empowering tool for women and provide opportunities to reunite and fight for our rights.

    Yet, you also specified that ‘digital misogyny’ is prominently present across these platforms and as I observed, is fuelled by ‘misogynist influencers’ such as Andrew Tate.
    This is an aspect to which I highly relate to and which affects a large portion of women in our country, whether it is online harassment, revenge porn or digital violence.

    Therefore, according to you, how could the CEDAW legislation further promote and protect women’s right, and what particular measures could be implemented to address gender-based violence happening online in Mauritius?

    -Pauline.

    1. M.Rioux Avatar
      M.Rioux

      Hello Pauline!
      First of all, thank you for taking the time to read my paper.

      CEDAW legislation could further promote and protect women’s rights, in numerous ways:
      1. Cedaw should be ratified in more countries and be incorporated into their own laws and policies. This would ensure that women’s rights are safeguarded on a national level, as well as establish a legal foundation for addressing gender discrimination.
      2. Women should be made aware of their rights under CEDAW through intensive advertising and encouraged to speak out against discrimination through education and awareness-raising efforts. Men and boys might learn about gender equality and the value of treating women with respect through these advertisements.
      3. Women’s political engagement is crucial for advancing women’s rights and gender equality. Women’s political involvement should be encouraged, and obstacles to it should be removed, using the CEDAW Act.

      Furthermore, a multifaceted strategy is needed to address gender-based violence that occurs online in Mauritius. This strategy includes passing and enforcing laws, increasing awareness, helping victims, pressuring social media sites to accept responsibility, and involving men and boys in efforts to stop gender-based violence.
      These legislations should outline what constitutes online gender-based abuse and stipulate the proper punishments for offenders. Furthermore, there should be efforts from Mauritian institutions to raise awareness of gender-based violence online and to educate women and girls about their rights, the dangers of using social media, how to report incidences, and where to get help. Men and boys are crucial in avoiding gender-based violence online, thus Mauritius should involve them in awareness-raising efforts, educational initiatives, and other activities to promote gender equality and prevent gender-based violence. Finally, in order to successfully combat online gender-based violence, social media platforms should be urged to develop explicit policies and processes.
      By adopting these steps, we may contribute to the development of a society where all women and girls, both online and offline, feel secure and empowered.

      Hope this helps.
      Have a great day!

      Emma

      1. Pauline Pacifique Avatar
        Pauline Pacifique

        Hi again Emma,
        thank you for your response !

        Altogether, it can be said that reinforcement of laws and promoting female political engagement are the main initiatives to take into consideration.

        Focusing on Mauritius, it could be interesting to maximise on SNS and create forums mainly focused on this law. One which is accessible to everyone and also understandable to a general audience. It could start with targeting younger audiences who would promote this movement on Instagram and TikTok.

        It was nice sharing with you !
        -Pauline.

        1. M.Rioux Avatar
          M.Rioux

          Hi again Pauline,

          Yes exactly, overall this is what should be done to hope for actual change and get rid of this misogynistic influencers and political figures.

          Previously, I forgot to include my thoughts on Andrew tate, my bad. For instance, regrettably, there are influential people like Andrew Tate who support the spread of sexism and misogyny and are influencing our young boys with this harmful and wrongful content. An example is when Andrew Tate made rude remarks regarding women’s mental health on social media, it caused a lot of criticism and disagreement. He made disrespectful comments implying that women with depression or other mental health problems were just being dramatic or attention-seeking. These remarks generated controversy and have been seen as harmful and disrespectful towards women and sounded the alarm to raise awareness of mental health.

          Women are already fighting for equality and justice in real-life and must now deal with the toxic online environment Andrew Tate is promoting. Enforcing stronger rules and regulations and cultivating a welcoming community would be a step forward to enact change.

          Thanks again for your participation!
          Emma

    2. H.Lochee Avatar
      H.Lochee

      Hi Emma,
      Thank you for addressing this human rights issue.
      It’s a wonderful thing that social media is enabling victims and people without a voice to find one online for the betterment of people’s lives to live a more harmonious, humane, and peaceful one.

      The reason I am responding under Pauline’s comment is because she mentioned Andrew Tate which immediately caught my attention.
      As a male individual, I share the same views and ethics on some of the things that Andrew speaks on, regarding motivation, hard-work, and some of the traditional dynamics between men and women’s roles in society derived from history.
      However, reading Pauline’s comment and your paper has led me to explore and research more about Andrew Tate as I only briefly heard of him. I have spent the last hour or so watching videos and news coverage on him and have come to a conclusion.

      I strongly agree that he has gone over his head about how women should be treated, which clearly makes him a misogynist. However I believe that sometimes his thoughts and intentions may get lost in the way he delivers his message, but nonetheless that doesn’t justify his hurtful and attacking views on women. I understand why most major social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook have banned him.

      In my paper, I also mention that social media seems to have no clear cut rules when it comes to posting content online. What are some of the ways you can think of which can be implemented in the posting process on social media to ensure that misogynistic material is mitigated and should there be criminal penalties for doing so?

      Yaj

      1. M.Rioux Avatar
        M.Rioux

        Hey Yaj,

        I value your viewpoint and the time and effort you invested in learning about Andrew Tate and drawing your own conclusions. Particularly when it comes to touchy subjects like gender equality, it’s crucial to assess the opinions and intentions of people.

        Regarding your question about mitigating misogynistic material on social media, it’s indeed a complex issue. To explicitly define what constitutes hate speech, harassment, or sexism, social media networks might adopt stronger community norms and regulations. Platforms may spend more time monitoring and policing content to make sure that objectionable material is quickly found and taken down.
        Furthermore, in order to solve these concerns, cooperation between law enforcement groups, gender equality organizations, and social media platforms might be helpful.
        However, the issue gets trickier when it comes to criminal punishment. Finding the right balance between freedom of expression and hate speech may be challenging. While it’s vital to hold people accountable for their acts, it’s as important to strike the correct balance when it comes to law and enforcement in order to prevent potential restrictions on free speech. Finding effective measures that prevent sexism without jeopardizing basic rights needs serious analysis and interaction with legal professionals, lawmakers, and the larger community.

        Thank you for your interest, it was nice to share with you!

        Emma

  3. Yiyun.Wang Avatar
    Yiyun.Wang

    Hi Emma,

    Thank you for the discussion about feminism and Twitter. My paper is also about feminism and social media, but the platform I mainly discuss is Facebook (https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2023/onsc/599/facebooks-role-in-the-growth-expression-and-challenges-of-feminist-communities/). Based on the content of your paper, both Facebook and Twitter are promoting the promotion of feminism.
    However, I found that there are still difficulties in the promotion of feminism, for example, some men will sexually harass and death-threaten people who spread feminist culture online. Do you think this situation will improve with the simple spread of feminism? Is there anything feminists might be able to do to reduce the occurrence of these acts to protect themselves?

    Cheers!
    Yiyun

    1. M.Rioux Avatar
      M.Rioux

      Hello Yiyun,

      Thank you for your interest in my paper and I will surely go read and comment on yours.

      Unfortunately, there have been numerous obstacles in the way of feminism’s advancement, such as online abuse and threats from people who disagree with its principles. It might not be enough to just promote feminist culture and principles to eradicate this sort of conduct. Yet, feminists may take the following actions to lessen the frequency of these abuses and safeguard themselves:

      1. They could document and report harassment, noting the occasion’s time and date, its nature, and, if known, the perpetrator’s identity. If required, this information can be used to report the occurrence to the relevant law enforcement agencies and social media sites. This may entail calling the police, asking for a restraining order, or taking legal action against the offender.
      2. They might take advantage of social media platforms’ built-in privacy and security tools, such as blocking and muting, to reduce their exposure to abuse. To secure their identity, feminists could also think about using anonymous accounts or adopting a pseudonym.
      3. To foster a sense of solidarity and security, they may establish groups and look for help from those who share their viewpoints and similar harassment. They could work together as a community to look for solutions and actions to take to enact change.

      Cheers!
      Emma

  4. Mitchell.Broadbent Avatar
    Mitchell.Broadbent

    Hi,

    I enjoyed reading about your break down of the waves of feminism and I like the overall topic of your paper, thank you for your contribution. Mine is on something similar which addresses the question you posed towards the end of your paper—does Twitter activism actually affect public policy? I’d encourage you to give it a read if you’re interested and I’d love to hear what you think.

    What kind of steps do you think should be taken to help protect women online from misogyny and encourage equal participation online?

    Thanks

    1. M.Rioux Avatar
      M.Rioux

      Hello Mitchell,

      I’m happy if you enjoyed reading my paper and I’m interested in reading yours too. Could you please comment the link?
      I previously responded to a similar question but there are several steps that can be taken to help protect women online from misogyny and encourage equal participation such as:

      1. Raising awareness and educating people about issues can assist women and girls in understanding their rights and the dangers of using the internet. New legislation that outlines what constitutes online gender-based abuse and stipulates the proper punishments for offenders should be implemented.
      2. Women should be given more opportunities to participate and be represented equally in the online environment. This could involve programs to narrow the gender gap in the digital world, such as granting access to technology and teaching digital skills.
      3. Clear rules and processes for dealing with online gender-based violence and harassment should be adopted by social media platforms, and those policies should be quickly enforced. This can entail taking action against people who participate in such conduct as well as giving users the option to report abusive behavior.

      Cheers!
      Emma

  5. J.Sinien Avatar
    J.Sinien

    Hello Emma,

    Very interesting paper, social media platform such as Twitter is welding the world of tomorrow and feminism as such are the epicenter of this new horizon. However there are still some threat for feminism to triumph as for instance, there are few verbal violence and threats towards women on such social media platform. These cyber violence can make some women not willing to voice out.
    What are your views upon equity and gender equality as both are very different and some feminism may not wanting equality but equity in society.
    Though, social media can frame Online Identity as to frame a strong and independent identity on social media however, some can lack confidence upon their physical appearance or on face to face meeting for example.
    To sum up, your conclusion makes complete sense about the evolution of feminism using social media as Twitter for instance as it helps to create much more awareness.

    P.s: leave a comment on my paper : https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2023/uncategorized/1620/is-privacy-still-being-part-of-todays-modern-software/

    Have a nice day Emma !

    1. M.Rioux Avatar
      M.Rioux

      Hello Yohann,

      Thank you for taking the time to read my paper and for your thoughtful analysis.

      Indeed, equity and gender equality are both important concepts in the fight for gender justice. Despite the fact that the two phrases are frequently used synonymously, they actually have different meanings.

      The idea that men and women should have the same rights, opportunities, and access to resources and power is known as gender equality. This indicates that people shouldn’t be treated unfairly or differently based on their gender. Equity, on the other hand, relates to the idea of justice and fairness in the allocation of resources and opportunities. It acknowledges that each person has unique needs and experiences and that when developing policies and programs, these variations must be taken into account.

      Because they think that women and other oppressed groups have historically suffered disadvantages and may need more assistance or resources to attain real equality, some feminism may place a higher priority on equity than equality. They contend that having equal access to opportunities for all people, regardless of their history or identity, is the only way to truly achieve equality and I believe this is true.

      In the end, even though they may take different approaches, they both aim to make society more fair and equal so that everyone can reach their full potential.

      Hope this helps!
      I will surely check your paper!

      Emma

  6. K.Lobin1 Avatar
    K.Lobin1

    Hello Emma,

    Your analysis of the many phases of feminism was interesting to read, and I think the subject of your paper as a whole is really interesting.

    Nevertheless, I discovered that there are still challenges to be faced in the advancement of feminism.

    For instance, some people, even women,  may engage in harassing behaviour and make murder threats on individuals who promote feminist culture on online platforms.

    Do you believe that the proliferation of feminism will lead to an improvement in the current circumstance?

    Regards,

    Nived.

    1. M.Rioux Avatar
      M.Rioux

      Hey Nived,

      Thank you for your comment, I appreciate it!

      Feminism’s contribution to enhance the conditions for women today is a complicated topic that can be analyzed from a number of perspectives. Some contend that feminism’s activism and activities have significantly advanced women’s rights and gender equality. Others could counter that there is still a long way to go and that there are other issues that must be resolved in order to attain real equality. Ultimately, a number of variables, involving social and cultural norms, political will, and the participation of individuals and communities, will determine the efficacy of feminist movements and the degree to which they can alter the existing situation.
      Overall, I believe that feminism has the potential to attain equity and ultimately, equality if they obtain correct support and help from adequate political and social parties. There is surely a long way to go but I believe that one day, women will finally be treated as equals, no matter how much time and fight it takes.

      Emma

  7. A.Umavassee Avatar
    A.Umavassee

    Hi Emma,

    I found your paper very informative and quite an interesting read.

    What can be done to guarantee that the improvements made in supporting women’s rights through Twitter and CEDAW are sustainable and have a lasting impact on gender equality globally?

    Regards,
    Yashven.

    1. M.Rioux Avatar
      M.Rioux

      Hey Yashven,

      Thank you for taking the time to read and to comment.

      The following measures might be adopted to guarantee that the advancements made in favour of women’s rights through Twitter and CEDAW are long-lasting and have an impact on gender equality worldwide:

      1. Groups and people may utilize Twitter and other social media sites to spread the word about women’s rights and gender equality concerns. This can support ongoing public discussion of these issues and keep them high on the priority list for decision-makers and other important stakeholders.
      2. By receiving more financing and support, organizations that address gender issues, including commissions on gender equality and women’s rights groups, can become stronger. They may be better equipped to fight for women’s rights and hold governments and other institutions responsible for tackling gender inequity as a result of this.
      3. Collaboration and partnerships among various players, such as governments, non-profits, and the influential figure, can aid in fostering long-term progress toward gender equality. For example, Emma Watson is still an active promoter for the HeForShe movement, and star Anne Hathaway recently joined its ranks as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador advocating equal pay for men and women.

      Thanks for your question.

      Emma

  8. Kushen Govinden Avatar
    Kushen Govinden

    Hi Emma,

    Thank you for this paper, I found it really interesting as I was able to learn a bit more about the Fourth Wave Feminism and CEDAW. I find it bizarre that in 2023, there is still this disparity between the 2 genders and that how women are facing abuse online on a daily basis, yet nothing has truly been done to correct those issues.

    So, you talked about how Social media sites don’t have enough rules, and the government is not doing enough to protect people. Do you think that CEDAW and social media platforms such as Twitter, can/should work together to educate people about the true meaning of feminism, the issues prevailing and in other word promote a safer space for these movements?

    Regards,
    Kushen

    1. M.Rioux Avatar
      M.Rioux

      Hi Kushen,

      Thanks to you for taking the time to comment.
      Indeed, the continuance of gender disparity in our culture is depressing to observe. Even if progress have been made since the first wave of feminism, there is still a long way to go and this is why feminist movements are needed.

      Yes, I think CEDAW and social media sites like Twitter can and should collaborate to spread awareness of the actual meaning of feminism and foster a secure environment for these movements. Twitter, a popular social media site, may be a useful tool for raising awareness of feminist concerns and the significance of gender equality among the general public. Furthermore, as a universal convention on women’s rights, CEDAW may offer a framework and directives for advancing gender equality. CEDAW may collaborate with Twitter to develop campaigns and hashtags that advance gender equality and feminist causes. Lastly, Twitter can put policies and mechanisms in place to limit and eventually stop online abuse and harassment, which disproportionately targets women and individuals from underrepresented groups. Twitter may make sure that these rules comply with international norms on women’s rights by collaborating with CEDAW.

      Hope this helps and I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

      Emma

  9. Neema.Najafzadeh Avatar
    Neema.Najafzadeh

    Hey Emma, amazing article !

    After reading your article I discovered some interesting points I didn’t know about before:

    – the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), in ensuring gender equality and empowering women worldwide.

    – from the first wave in the 1820s to the fourth wave, which is characterized by its emphasis on technology and social media for connecting and reaching people across cultural and national boundaries.

    – popular hashtags, such as #heforshe, #EverydaySexism, and #metoo, that have helped to demand gender equality, expose cases of sexual assault and harassment, draw attention to regular sexism, and increase consciousness of unintentional prejudice.

    These are very important for the rest of the world to know in order to bring more equality to women and to use these platforms for good.

    My question to you is, do you believe that Twitter is the best platform for social change and women’s rights?

    Looking forward to hearing back to you !

    – Neema

    1. M.Rioux Avatar
      M.Rioux

      Hello Neema,

      I’m really glad that you liked my article as much as I liked yours and that you got some interesting takeaways after reading it!

      As a response to your question, it is undeniable that Twitter has aided in the advancement of social change and women’s rights, although it is not necessarily the “best” platform for these causes. Indeed, Twitter features like the usage of hashtags make it simple for users to monitor and follow particular subjects, making it simple for users to find and participate in conversations concerning women’s rights. However, the audiences and distinctive features of different social media platforms may make them more suitable for a certain style of activism or messaging. To reach younger audiences, for instance, Instagram and TikTok may be more effective than Facebook, whereas the latter may be more suited for creating communities and planning events. To have the most impact and to reach the widest possible audience, it is crucial to leverage a range of platforms and strategies.

      Hope this helps!

      Emma

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